Power Steering

[terryreed1664]

Hi All, I touched on this subject on another thread.
I have just found this on ebay (Item Number 330628103803), it may be the answer to all are heavy steering problems.
What do you think.
Terry

[danny_nelson]

Re: Power Steering

Hi Terry,
I have looked at this again after speaking to you and I am well impressed. Well spotted, a good bit of information.
Danny.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Power Steering

I agree a very good idea, but I dont think it would take a lot of making once you have got on off a corsa,

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Power Steering

Just been to my local scrap yard and looked at one of these Columns they have the ecu with them so as long as you take the plugs should not be a problem. As for fitting I can not see a problem with a bit of care. Best bit only £50. This could be a very good mod for all models of marlin. Hope this helps anyone out thinking of the mod

[stevejgreen]

Re: Power Steering

The ECU's for the conversion are fooled into setting the amount of assistance with a variable manual control. So it would be possible to inadvertantly have the device at maximum assistance at motorway speeds, a potentially dangerous situation.

I am not at all clear that a manually adjustable system is legal in a road car. Something for wiser souls than me to consider.

I hope the benefits are not outweighed by the risks.

[terryreed1664]

Re: Power Steering

Steve you have a valid point about the legal side of things,(It was one of my first thought), but when you check their write up about the sensor, it does say its for road and rally.
I would have thought if an MOT chap thought it was illegal he could not pass the cars.
Some more info, if your thinking the same as Lee buying from a scrap yard, here's the sensor sold separately (Ebay item number 320783740420)complete with write up.
Hope this helps
Terry

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Power Steering

This may be a little cheaper and would (eventually) do the job !!! Ebay Item number: 290625889077

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Power Steering

Ha ha that is funny Dane..............

[andycaneheadkemp]

Re: Power Steering

I must admit to being slightly confused about this thread-one of the benefits I am looking forward to when I get around to making a quick rack is the fact that the steering will get heavier.I have always found it too light-am I just much stronger than I think?!

[Mike]

Re: Power Steering

Andy
How much toe-in do you have?

[andycaneheadkemp]

Re: Power Steering

At the moment rather a lot as the steering rack is off!
Not totally sure what I last ran it with,but I think it was only a very minimal amount of toe-in,as I found it helped the turn-in to corners,although was a little nervous under braking.
I must admit I prefer steering to have a little weight as I find it easier to feel the amount of grip when going hard into corners-not on public roads obviously
It has a 2 litre Pinto now,so a fair weight on the front,must say it handled much better with its old A series engine

[stevejgreen]

Re: Power Steering

Lee claimed he had the best handling roadster with his Lotus twin cam powered car (now for sale)
I dont think he ever told us, in detail, what he did to the suspension setup.
It would be of interest to many of us to find out just what alterations he made and what angles he ended up with.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Power Steering

That right Steve it was and I drive a lot of roadsters. I have everything wrote down somewhere but brief explanation is..... The wheelbase of a lwb roadster is the same as my fathers lotus élan plus 2 so the geometry was copied onto the roadster. First the spront rear axle had tramp bars and a panard rod horizontal to the axle and poly bushes all round, as the car had a very small tunnel to fit larger seat you could not have any movement. On the front suspension the bottom pivot brackets on the chassis were found to be in different positions front to back so these were cut off and re-welded in the correct position. Then the bottom suspension pickles were machined to pull the wheels in as all roadsters have negative camber. The mini top wishbones were machined down and new piviot s made to give the correct caster to self centre and lastly Rose jointed tie bars to pull it all together. This all took a long time especially the measuring.

[CosworthCabrioLee]

Re: Power Steering

Sorry about spelling done on I phone with predictive text

[andycaneheadkemp]

Re: Power Steering

Hi Lee,
do you mind if I ask a question?
I have thought about altering the mini arms to give castor but I'm put off by the the thought that it would surely impose a bending load on the lower trunnion and torsion bar.Did you you find a way around that or did it not seem to affect it?
I have tramp bars and Panhard rod,made a huge difference to the behavior off the line in sprints,and am now looking to sort the front out..
Your car looks stunning by the way,only slightly jealous!